“If my son wanted you to be the first contact concerning anything medical, he would have made you his emergency contact and over his care if he’s unable to make choices himself. But he didn’t. Me and his mother will decide when things are dire enough to make such calls.”
I bit the inside of my cheek as my nostrils flared while pushing out a heavy rush of air. “So what’s the plan now? The doctor told me they got his blood pressure under control and put him on medicine to help the infection.”
“The plan is to get the best doctor to come in and handle my son’s care. We’re paying too much money to have anyone but the head of the department overlooking his wellbeing. If relocation is needed, then so be it.”
“But is relocating needed? I mean doesn’t stuff like this happen sometimes, regardless of the hospital?”
“When we need another insight then we’ll ask for it. As for now, just worry about supporting our son.”
By his body language I could tell Deacon was done with the conversation. I gripped my bookbag strap tightly. I was told we should be positive and bring good energy around someone in a coma because they could feel it, so I was trying to keep thingscivilized with Rome’s parents, but they didn’t make it easy. It bothered me that they spoke to me like what I had to say didn’t matter.
Moving to the other side of the bed, I removed my bookbag from my shoulder, set it next to my feet, then stepped closer to the bed. Reaching down I grabbed Rome’s hand and gave it a slight squeeze.
“I need you to wake up. I miss you,” I whispered. My eyes went to his face. He had a tube in his mouth. His skin was pale. “You would hate that your facial hair is growing like it is.” I touched his cheek.
In the next couple of weeks we were due to meet with the wedding planner to finalize last minute details for the wedding. If he didn’t wake up by then, everything would fall on me. I wanted the two of us to make the choices together. Rome had been busy during most of the planning but he promised he would be here for the final choices. I needed him to keep his promise and wake up. While I tried to keep up a brave front, it was lonely without him around.
____
I was lost in thought, working on my latest illustration. My aids were off and I was in deep concentration.
Bella’s paw on my leg gained my attention. “Hold on, girl.” I spoke while continuing to focus on my current image. I had managed to get all my commissioned work done and was finally working on personal things. The next installment of my children’s book series was almost done, and after the day I had, it was the only thing calming me.
I was currently in the middle of shading when an hand landed on my shoulder, causing me to jump.
“Shit!” I dropped the stylus.
Turning around, my eyes widened, now seeing Creed in my office.
“Oh that’s why you tried to get my attention,” I said to Bella. Reaching up, I pressed the button on each ear to turn my aids on.
“My bad. I wasn’t aware your aids weren’t on. I didn’t mean to scare you.” He glanced down at my desk. “Oh, I messed up your drawing.”
“It’s an illustration, but it’s fine. I needed a break anyway.” I rubbed my eyes. It wasn’t until now that I realized how tired I had grown. Checking the time I realized I had been in front of my tablet for almost three hours now with no break.
“This what you do for work, right?”
I nodded. “Yep.” Stretching my limbs, I yawned and rolled my neck in a circle.
Creed stepped closer to me and glanced over my shoulder. “Nice. You’re talented. I can barely draw a stick figure and you managed this.”
I checked the current page I was working on. I had made great progress with it and was happy with the turnout.
“Illustration was something I’ve known I wanted to do for a long time. It’s one thing to draw, but it’s different bringing a person’s vision to life, especially when storytelling’s involved.”
“This for a client?”
“You can say that.” I tucked my lips into my mouth and averted my eyes.
“What’s that mean? You mind?” I glanced up and Creed was pointing at the tablet.
I shook my head and reached for my tablet to hand it over. “Damn, you’re really good. The way you started from a few lines and sketches to get the full picture is amazing.”
His compliment caused heat to rush to my cheeks. “Thanks.” Normally the only time I would let someone see my in between stage was when I sent the sketch to a client before starting the finalization. My personal work, however, I never let anyone see beforehand. I was a perfectionist and needed everything how I envisioned it before other eyes saw it, so I was on edge now.
When Creed handed me the tablet back, I locked it and set it on my desk. “I got so lost in work that I didn’t get to cook. Do you like pizza? There’s a good place close that delivers.”
“That’s cool with me. I need to shower first, but go ahead and order.”
